Gurye-gun Leaps Forward as a Premium Bicycle Sports City Utilizing the Seomjin River

Bicycle City Branding Project and Bicycle Road Safety Improvement Project Selected for Public Contest, Confirmed Funding of 800 Million KRW

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yuk Miseok] Jeonnam Gurye-gun (Governor Kim Sunho) announced on the 15th that it is beginning to leap forward as a premium bicycle leisure city utilizing the bicycle road stretching along the Seomjin River.

Gurye-gun secured a total project cost of 800 million KRW by being selected for the Ministry of the Interior and Safety's 'Bicycle City Branding Project' and the 'Bicycle Road Accident Risk Area Safety Improvement Project' to enhance the Seomjin River bicycle road.

The Bicycle City Branding Project provides 200 million KRW in national funding to a total of five local governments. The county received favorable evaluations by planning the 'Binggurye Station Construction Project,' a bicycle station linked with Gurye Station.

The Binggurye Station Construction Project is a project to invest 400 million KRW in a vacant lot located opposite Gurye Station to create a shared bicycle station and bicycle rest area.

The county plans to develop the station into a hub space that will become the center of Seomjin River bicycle travel and Gurye travel.

The Bicycle Road Accident Risk Area Safety Improvement Project provides 200 million KRW in national funding to a total of ten local governments. The county applied for the 2km section from Muncheok Intersection, a frequent accident area, to the old Muncheok Bridge and secured project funds.

This section connects Gurye-eup and the Seomjin River bicycle road. Many residents and tourists use it by bicycle and on foot, but it is a high-risk area due to the narrow shoulder.

The county plans to invest 400 million KRW to renovate the section and create an environment where users can safely and conveniently use the Seomjin River bicycle road.

Kim Sunho, Governor of Gurye-gun, said, "We will improve the bicycle road utilizing Gurye-gun's pristine nature and build infrastructure to create a premium bicycle city," adding, "We will link the Seomjin River bicycle road, Seomjin River Bamboo Grove Trail, and various leisure experience facilities to develop it into an ecological tourism belt where visitors want to stay."

Meanwhile, last February, the county signed the 'Seomjingang Area Integrated Tourism Belt Creation Agreement' connecting Gurye-Gokseong-Gwangyang-Hadong and continues efforts to develop the Seomjingang area into a single wide-area tourism zone and the nation's top ecological tourism hub.

The Seomjin River bicycle road allows riders to enjoy riding along the riverbanks with cherry blossoms in spring and lush greenery in summer and autumn.

Recently, it has been recognized as the central point for the Seomjin River bicycle traverse and is emerging as a preferred area for bicycle enthusiasts and tourists.